_Hippocrates_ also long before finding this error to bee helde by some in his time maketh mention of diuerse of these _Symptoms_, and sayeth, that hee doth not see anie thing in them more supernaturall, or more to bee admired, then there is in Tertians, and Quartans, and other kindes of diseases: imputing it either vnto ignorance, and want of experience that Phisitians of his time did iudge otherwise; or vnto a worser humor, when as beeing loath to bewray their owne defects through pride and arrogancie: and not knowing what to prescribe would flie vnto diuine causes, and neglecting naturall meanes for their reliefe, would wholy relie vpon expiations, incantations, sacrifices, &c. cloaking their ignoraunce vnder these shadows, and pretending both more knowledge, and more pietie then other men: by which course they gained this aduauntage, that if the patient chanced to recouer, they should bee highly renowmed for their skill; if not, their excuse was readie that Gods hande was against them. This hee speaketh of the Phisitions of his time, whome he confuteth principally by two reasons, which may serue for excellent rules for all men to discerne such cases by. The first is, that there is no supernaturall Character in these _Symptoms_, as hee proueth by an induction of diuerse of them, which in the cõmon opinion were thought to be aboue nature: yet hee proueth to haue their naturall causes in the bodie of man as well as others haue. The strength of this argument will better appeare hereafter in the particular _Symptoms_, which we are to entreate of: where it shall be made manifest that the most of them doe both depende vpon such naturall causes as other diseases haue in our bodies, and also are oftentimes mixed with other diseases which are accompted naturall. It may likewise appeare by this, that whereas all other diseases are knowne by their notes and signes which resemble their cause (as _Choller_, _Flegme_, _Melancholy_, _&c._ haue their proper markes, corruption and putrefaction, their proper notes and malignity his Character) so there must be some Character or note of a supernaturall power in these cases (as [4]extraordinary strength or knowledge or suffering) or else we haue no cause but to think them naturall. If the diuell as an externall cause, may inflict a disease by stirring vp or kindling the humours of our bodies, and then depart without supplying continuall supernaturall power vnto it;[5] then the disease is but naturall, and will submit it selfe vnto Physicall cure. For externall causes when they are already remoted, giue no indication of any remedy. [4] Luk. 8. 27. 28. &c. _Ternel de abditis rerum causis lib. 2. cap 16 Platerus de mẽtis alienat. pag. 102._ _Beniuenius de abditis morborum causis cap. 8. Alsharauius. C. de Epilepsia._